Here are some pics of the still I just bought.I don't have it, yet, but
am anxiously waiting.
It may need a bit of polishing, and definately needs some exercise.
Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Mark

Hi! Tony  I've just been really busy so I've not had the time to make
contact. But, I have been reading all the postings . And am pleased that
Deb has cleared up alot about the thump keg! I haven't had a chance to
put my still together for awhile but I do think I will add the thumper
to my operation. I was wondering does Deb use a thermometer in her
system?  And  did I read it right you only put a small amount Of mash
into the thump/ And then clean out the still and the thumper [after
running it thru of course] Add the results of the first run back into
the empty thumper and then once again fill the still with fresh mash and
running this through? Could somebody tell the procedure very simply from
step one to the finish using the thump keg style still?Thanks a heap!!

>And  did I read it right you only put a small amount Of mash
>into the thump/ And then clean out the still and the thumper [after
>running it thru of course] Add the results of the first run back into
>the empty thumper and then once again fill the still with fresh mash and
>running this through? Could somebody tell the procedure very simply from
>step one to the finish using the thump keg style still?Thanks a heap!!

1) Fill (2/3rds) still with mash
2) put some liquid in the thumper - this can be either some "tails" from
the last run , or some water
3) run still
3a) throw away the "heads" (the first 50+ mL) as this contains traces of
methanol
3b) keep the good stuff for drinking
3c) keep the "tails" (eg the very low alcohol distillate that comes over
last, like <25% a/v), but keep seperate from the middle cut
4) Stop distilling when the tails get "smelly" or you are measuring >96C
5) Clean out still& thumper  & hide it again

The "tails" can be added to the mash used in the next run, or kept until
you have enough of them to do a single run from.  They contain usefull
alcohol, so no point tossing them.  Using them in the thumper just hastens
the point at which the thumper becomes usefull (eg it won't work until the
liquid in it is fully saturated with alcohol, so using something already
with alcohol in it is a head start)

Tony

Considering casking at some point, I stumbled upon
http://brewery.org/brewery/library/LmbicJL0696.html

It is a Lambric brewing site which is quite interesting in that it goes
into much detail of some processes applicable to stilling.

What caught my eye was the discussion of selecting a cask. I would think
that those who operate "pot stills" (aka "pot-heads") might benefit form
the idea of running enough to fill one or more of the smaller casks for
aging. Yes, I know how tempting it is to consume all, but for realizing
the most potential of enjoying the delicious developement of flavors
that are retained in the pot method, aging in aged oak, I would think,
would be the only way to go.

Mark

Tom has an interesting article in his news letter (
http://moonshine.co.nz/march99.html ) about
Traditional Moonshine. It talks about a thumper.

Jeff(Rogue)

--- Stevensgang@... wrote:
> Hi! Tony  I've just been really busy so I've not had
> the time to make
> contact. But, I have been reading all the postings .
> And am pleased that
> Deb has cleared up alot about the thump keg! I
> haven't had a chance to
> put my still together for awhile but I do think I
> will add the thumper
> to my operation. I was wondering does Deb use a
> thermometer in her
> system?  And  did I read it right you only put a
> small amount Of mash
> into the thump/ And then clean out the still and the
> thumper [after
> running it thru of course] Add the results of the
> first run back into
> the empty thumper and then once again fill the still
> with fresh mash and
> running this through? Could somebody tell the
> procedure very simply from
> step one to the finish using the thump keg style
> still?Thanks a heap!!
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
http://im.yahoo.com/

Tony! I don't understand how you could use water in the thumper.
Fox-Fire book says to use mash in the thump on the first run then saving
it cleaning out everything  and putting that first run into the thumper
refilling the still with mash and running it a second time. this time
you should have good smooth shine. Which makes more sense to me.
Anybody?!!!!!

In the past, some have asked how to unsubscribe from this group. I don't
know why they would ever want to; they must have square mouths or
something.

None-the-less, I feel it necessary to divulge the secret (no longer)
method for fool-proof (or is that proof of a fool) unsubbing.

Mark


How To Unsubscribe

To unsubscribe from this service you must first purchase a Craft-O-Matic

Adjustable Subscription Cancellation Unit.  The unit can be obtained
from
most hardware stores and dental clinics.  Be sure to obtain the proper
permits to operate the unit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and
the
Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C.  USA.

Be sure to carefully unpack the kit and place each component in its
accompanying mesh safety bag.  Mount the Pershing DF4 mesinator on top
of
the perforated Gerring Mach 77 refibulator and attach them using the
eight-millimeter torque fork.  Be sure that the refibulator is mounted
at a
66 degree angle and properly dispersed so that it is flush with the
curved
section of the Pyrex thistle tube.  Place the four sections of the
triangular separation gear into the posture cylinder and lock them into
place using the band aid adhesive strip.  Insert the wiggling pin into
the
wobbling hole, making sure that it seated correctly.  Place the D cell
battery and the eleven 9 volt batteries in the power chamber.

The device should be calibrated before operation using the optional
digital
corkscrew accessory pack prior to operation.  Insert the digital
corkscrew
through the electronic combustion service chamber using caution not to
touch
the reinforced tungsten igniter control module and quickly turn the
inverter
drive to 28.6 degrees.  Turn the Craft-O-Matic Adjustable Subscription
Cancellation Unit upside down and hit the bottom plate with a 48-ounce
ball-peen hammer while shaking the unit vigorously.  Force open the door
to
the incineration valve compartment and set the pressure gauge to 719
psi.
Close the door and seal it shut with duct tape.  The unit should now be
properly calibrated and ready to use.

Before activating the Craft-O-Matic Adjustable Subscription Cancellation

Unit, you must first elevate it to a height of 229 feet above sea level
to
insure that the unit receives the proper oxygen level and barometric
pressure.  Point the aerial to 17 degrees north by northeast to within
the
parameters of the Telstar GS-2 weather satellite and apply pressure to
the
wing shaft on the southern most section of the modular accelerator.
Using
the special ratchet adapter supplied with the unit, rotate the heater
core
to the "on" position.

The "on" position has been obtained when the green light begins to
flash,
signifying that the red light is about to go off.  Once the red light is

off, flip the toggle switch labeled "ON/OFF" to the "ON" position and
count
to 47 before logging on to the system.

Logon using your username and password and wait for the prompt.  Once
prompted you must check the box with the appropriate action you wish to
take
and then press the pressure release button and turn off the compressor
while
turning the hand crank at 231 meters per minute.  Next, press control,
alt,
delete, caps lock, shift, number lock, escape and tab simultaneously.
Press
enter.

You will have one second to complete the procedure.  If you fail to
respond
in the time limit allowed, simply purchase a new Craft-O-Matic
Adjustable
Subscription Cancellation Unit and start from the beginning.

Please remember that this is the only way we will accept for you to
unsubscribe from this service.  We have made every attempt to simplify
the
procedure for your convenience.  Failure to comply with the unsubscribe
policy will result in immediate termination of your subscription so
please
follow the above directions closely.

Finally the secret is out.  Actually the reason for this easy unsubscribe
procedure is that we are about to manufacture the Craft-O-Matic here in New
Zealand.  The plan also involes buying up present world stocks and then
control the market.
The 2001 model uses a clever system of balancing liquid mercury on a tilted
plate while rubbing your tummy with your left hand (very important) and the
right eye closed.

Thank you for the most helpful directions, you make a complicated process
seem simple.

Young Des
topkiwi





At 10:36 AM 9/05/00 -0400, you wrote:
>In the past, some have asked how to unsubscribe from this group. I don't
>know why they would ever want to; they must have square mouths or
>something.
>
>None-the-less, I feel it necessary to divulge the secret (no longer)
>method for fool-proof (or is that proof of a fool) unsubbing.
>
>Mark
>
>
>How To Unsubscribe
>
>To unsubscribe from this service you must first purchase a Craft-O-Matic
>
>Adjustable Subscription Cancellation Unit.  The unit can be obtained
>from
>most hardware stores and dental clinics.  Be sure to obtain the proper
>permits to operate the unit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and
>the
>Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C.  USA.
>
>Be sure to carefully unpack the kit and place each component in its
>accompanying mesh safety bag.  Mount the Pershing DF4 mesinator on top
>of
>the perforated Gerring Mach 77 refibulator and attach them using the
>eight-millimeter torque fork.  Be sure that the refibulator is mounted
>at a
>66 degree angle and properly dispersed so that it is flush with the
>curved
>section of the Pyrex thistle tube.  Place the four sections of the
>triangular separation gear into the posture cylinder and lock them into
>place using the band aid adhesive strip.  Insert the wiggling pin into
>the
>wobbling hole, making sure that it seated correctly.  Place the D cell
>battery and the eleven 9 volt batteries in the power chamber.
>
>The device should be calibrated before operation using the optional
>digital
>corkscrew accessory pack prior to operation.  Insert the digital
>corkscrew
>through the electronic combustion service chamber using caution not to
>touch
>the reinforced tungsten igniter control module and quickly turn the
>inverter
>drive to 28.6 degrees.  Turn the Craft-O-Matic Adjustable Subscription
>Cancellation Unit upside down and hit the bottom plate with a 48-ounce
>ball-peen hammer while shaking the unit vigorously.  Force open the door
>to
>the incineration valve compartment and set the pressure gauge to 719
>psi.
>Close the door and seal it shut with duct tape.  The unit should now be
>properly calibrated and ready to use.
>
>Before activating the Craft-O-Matic Adjustable Subscription Cancellation
>
>Unit, you must first elevate it to a height of 229 feet above sea level
>to
>insure that the unit receives the proper oxygen level and barometric
>pressure.  Point the aerial to 17 degrees north by northeast to within
>the
>parameters of the Telstar GS-2 weather satellite and apply pressure to
>the
>wing shaft on the southern most section of the modular accelerator.
>Using
>the special ratchet adapter supplied with the unit, rotate the heater
>core
>to the "on" position.
>
>The "on" position has been obtained when the green light begins to
>flash,
>signifying that the red light is about to go off.  Once the red light is
>
>off, flip the toggle switch labeled "ON/OFF" to the "ON" position and
>count
>to 47 before logging on to the system.
>
>Logon using your username and password and wait for the prompt.  Once
>prompted you must check the box with the appropriate action you wish to
>take
>and then press the pressure release button and turn off the compressor
>while
>turning the hand crank at 231 meters per minute.  Next, press control,
>alt,
>delete, caps lock, shift, number lock, escape and tab simultaneously.
>Press
>enter.
>
>You will have one second to complete the procedure.  If you fail to
>respond
>in the time limit allowed, simply purchase a new Craft-O-Matic
>Adjustable
>Subscription Cancellation Unit and start from the beginning.
>
>Please remember that this is the only way we will accept for you to
>unsubscribe from this service.  We have made every attempt to simplify
>the
>procedure for your convenience.  Failure to comply with the unsubscribe
>policy will result in immediate termination of your subscription so
>please
>follow the above directions closely.
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>
>
>
>
>

Des,

Wouldn't you think it better to balance the mercury bead on a prism which is
then carefully placed (while rubbing tummy...right eye closed) on the tilted
plate?

Just makes more sense to me. Maybe someone could do the math.

Mark

Des wrote:

> Finally the secret is out.
> The 2001 model uses a clever system of balancing liquid mercury on a tilted
> plate while rubbing your tummy with your left hand (very important) and the
> right eye closed.
>
> Young Des
> topkiwi
>

I must admit, that hadn't occured to me.  I will get our technical
department and the 'Easy Operations Section' to look at that.  Come to
think of it your suggestion would improve the look of the unit and may ever
speed up manufacturing process.
We will need to do considerable testing to see if the use of the left hand
is still appropriate.  We may have to do away with this step, or even
modify it.  Then we will have to 'see' how it effects the eye procedure.

All suggestions are gatefully received.

Young Des
topkiwi



At 03:25 PM 9/05/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Des,
>
>Wouldn't you think it better to balance the mercury bead on a prism which is
>then carefully placed (while rubbing tummy...right eye closed) on the tilted
>plate?
>
>Just makes more sense to me. Maybe someone could do the math.
>
>Mark
>
>Des wrote:
>
>> Finally the secret is out.
>> The 2001 model uses a clever system of balancing liquid mercury on a tilted
>> plate while rubbing your tummy with your left hand (very important) and the
>> right eye closed.
>>
>> Young Des
>> topkiwi
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Avoid the lines and visit avis.com for quick and easy online
>reservations. Enjoy a compact car nationwide for only $29 a day!
>Click here for more details.
>http://click.egroups.com/1/3011/3/_/834209/_/957900975/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>new_distillers-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>
>
>

Mark

If anyone is interested, look at attachment and go to:
http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?PersonalShopperViewSearches

This could be yours.

Mark

There are many ways of building/designing/running a still.  It really comes
down to whats best for your situation.

The thumber is in essence simply a single plate reflux column - an area for
liquid & vapour to come to equilibrium.  The amount of liquid can be pretty
variable, provided that there is enough contact with it to "treat" all the
vapour passing through.  Because they are simply bubbling the vapour
through, with no real fancy tricks like perforated plates to distribute the
gas & liquid & make lots of tiny bubbles with heaps of surface area, it
means that you probably have to have a decent depth in it to get it working
ok.  Hence the "thump" when its bubbling - big bubbles coming up through a
head of liquid.

Hence the better the design of it, the less liquid is required; or scale it
down in size regardless and still a fairly good result from it anyhow.

We've heard how thumpers come in different sizes; Deb's 5 gallon still uses
2.5 gallon (10L) of mash, and the 1 gallon thumper uses about 1 quart (1L)
of liquid.  Her yield is 2-3 quarts (L).  The photos that Mark posted show
a smaller thumper.

If you are going to have a large thumper, it wouldn't make sense to use
water in it, because so much of your initial alcohol is going into just
saturating the water; hence the use of the "tails".  But if you have a
small thumper, its not too much difference.

As for the technique of returning it ALL to the thumper - this would depend
again on the size of the unit.  Yes, it would make sense in the situation
of where you have a large thumper, but if it is small, you may not have
enough capacity.  eg - Debs case where her yield is 2-3 times that which
would fit in the thumper - hence just keep the tails to use.

This is just another situation where there are many ways of doing basically
the same thing, neither way is strictly wrong or right.

Tony the Confuser.

>
>Tony! I don't understand how you could use water in the thumper.
>Fox-Fire book says to use mash in the thump on the first run then saving
>it cleaning out everything  and putting that first run into the thumper
>refilling the still with mash and running it a second time. this time
>you should have good smooth shine. Which makes more sense to me.
>Aybody?!!!!!

Tony! or Mark or Deb! Well if I run a 5 gal. still and a 5 gal. thumper
could I fill them both two -thirds full and go for it??  Taking for
granted I run this thru and then pour the results back into the thump
refill the still with fresh mash and running it again. How much shine
could I expect from say  thirty gal. of fermented mash? Am I filling the
thumper to full? This is all theoretical of course just round about
answers will do! I really want to learn how to do this. The weather here
is almost warm enough to start sprouting my corn for malt so I'm getting
excited about the prospects of making a really good batch of shine. I
really appreciate all you'ins trying to answer my questions Hope to hear
from you soon    Thanks a heap!!

Found this little tid-bit.
You guys where it is legal don't know how lucky you are.

Mark


February 10, 2000 - Still busted, moonshiner arrested in raid

State Department of Revenue agents and sheriff’s deputies broke up a
moonshine still in
northwestern Wisconsin and arrested its operator Wednesday, Wisconsin
Revenue Secretary
Cate Zeuske announced today.

Elvin Roy Scheidecker, 61, was arrested on his farm near Bloomer, in
Chippewa County, on
tentative charges of manufacturing intoxicating liquor without a permit.
Agents said he was in
the process of distilling alcohol from mash he had fermented earlier. If
convicted, Scheidecker
faces 15 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Executing search warrants after a ten-month investigation, agents seized
a stainless steel liquor
production still, approximately 60 gallons of suspected moonshine, and
ingredients used to
make liquor. DNR wardens also seized illegal fish and deer from
Scheidecker’s farm.

Also Wednesday, the Revenue Department and the Dunn County Sheriff’s
Department seized
approximately five gallons of moonshine after serving a warrant on a
rural Dunn County
residence near Wheeler.

"Information gathered Wednesday will lead to further investigation into
illegal liquor
production," said Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement chief James Jenkins.
"This was a professional
operation."

During the investigation, a state undercover agent observed Scheidecker
sell suspected
moonshine on numerous occasions, according to Jenkins.

Moonshine is the popular term for liquor manufactured without state and
federal permits.
Moonshine is typically made in small batches using homemade stills
hidden in secluded sheds,
barns or basements. Operating outside the law, in addition to evading
taxes, there are no
controls on alcohol content, ingredients, or sanitation. "Moonshine can
be very dangerous to
drink," Jenkins said.

A little brief history of Slivovitz:

http://www.polishvodkas.com/fr_lacko.htm

Mark

Tony! I think I found the answer to my own question. Fox-Fire book  says
to put about 10 gal. of mash into the thump when starting a run. This is
using a 50gal. still and a 50 gal. thump. So that would be very close to
what Deb runs in her still given the size difference. So in a 5gal.
still I assume 1 or 2gal. put in the thump would be plenty. Thanks
anyway be careful  !!!!!

Hi,
    I'm new, and I dont have the first clue about distilling can anyone explain
the process to me in easy to understand terms???
Thanks



------------------------------------------------------------
Get your free Nine Inch Nails E-mail at http://www.thefragile.com/

please go to http://www.webconx.com/ethanol.htm

you will find some excellent resources on history, methods, and uses.

--
Steve Spence
Renewable Energy Pages - http://www.webconx.com
Palm Pilot Pages - http://www.webconx.com/palm
X10 Home Automation - http://www.webconx.com/x10
sspence@...
(212) 894-3704 x3154 - voicemail/fax
If we don't believe in freedom of speech
for people who we disagree with, we don't believe in it at all.
--

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Casaceli" <burned@...>
To: <new_distillers@egroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2000 9:57 AM
Subject: [new_distillers] I want to get started distilling


> Hi,
>    I'm new, and I dont have the first clue about distilling can anyone
explain the process to me in easy to understand terms???
> Thanks
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Get your free Nine Inch Nails E-mail at http://www.thefragile.com/
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> new_distillers-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>
>

also you could check out my site
It was written by me for people just starting out
if you have any problems email this group and they'll help you out
cheers
smithers
http://go.to/distil

----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Casaceli <burned@...>
To: <new_distillers@egroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2000 6:57 AM
Subject: [new_distillers] I want to get started distilling


> Hi,
>    I'm new, and I dont have the first clue about distilling can anyone
explain the process to me in easy to understand terms???
> Thanks
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Get your free Nine Inch Nails E-mail at http://www.thefragile.com/
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Porsche Boxter. You and a friend. Nine dream days from
> Napa Valley to Beverly Hills. Provided by CarsDirect.com.
> Click to enter.
> http://click.egroups.com/1/3993/3/_/834209/_/958229719/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> new_distillers-unsubscribe@onelist.com
>
>
>
>

try http://www.geocities.com/kiwi_distiller

also - for the more advanced - I've just updated the "Theory" section to
include some simple look-up graphs to help with designing a reflux still,
and showing the differences between different types of packing, column
height, and reflux ratio.

Tony

Nice little site with some really good tunes for those with real audio.

Mark


http://metalab.unc.edu/moonshine/make/make.html

Here is a US of A company that sells some nice stuff.
Take a look at their commercial 1000 gallon (yes...1000 gallon!!!) unit.
Now that's a still and a half.

http://winesupply.com/alcohol_stills/index.htm

Can anyone explain the use of Primary Carbon?  I see instructions on
the use of High Activity and then Finishing Carbon but not Primary. I
have see recipes that call for leaving the spirt on activated
charcoal for up to six months but it did not specify what kind. Also
does keeping the spirit on the High Activity Carbon for longer than
24 hours produce a better product?

Nolts

Deb or your Hubby! If I remember correctly youall get 2 or 3 quarts of
good liquor  from a 5 gal. batch of mash. From your conversations I
believe youall are Americans like myself. So I was wondering  if youall
ever heard  of holding a bead? And if so does your liquor hold a bead?
Our friends down under are very helpful but they're not real hip on what
holding a bead means to us hillbilly americans! Just wondering about
your 'moonshine'    Thanks

http://www.webconx.com/ethanol.htm

--
Steve Spence
Renewable Energy Pages - http://www.webconx.com
Palm Pilot Pages - http://www.webconx.com/palm
X10 Home Automation - http://www.webconx.com/x10
sspence@...
(212) 894-3704 x3154 - voicemail/fax
If we don't believe in freedom of speech
for people who we disagree with, we don't believe in it at all.
--

> Updated Fuel Ethanol Text! And only $10 for the electronic download. Check
> these people out. I have no affiliation with them.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Micki Nellis" <cpu@...>
> To: <sspence@...>
> Sent: Friday, May 26, 2000 2:54 PM
> Subject: Makin' It on the Farm revised, released as ebook
>
>
> I was delighted to find you have linked to my web pages. In April I
revised
> "Makin' It on the Farm: Alcohol Fuel is the Road to Independence" and
> released it in ebook format.
>
> Thanks
> Micki Nellis
> http://buffalo-creek-press.com
> http://buffalo-creek-press.com/alcohol.htm
>
> micki@...
>
> --
> Steve Spence
> Renewable Energy Pages - http://www.webconx.com
> Palm Pilot Pages - http://www.webconx.com/palm
> X10 Home Automation - http://www.webconx.com/x10
> sspence@...
> (212) 894-3704 x3154 - voicemail/fax
> If we don't believe in freedom of speech
> for people who we disagree with, we don't believe in it at all.
> --
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Old school buds here:
> http://click.egroups.com/1/4057/4/_/837408/_/959518427/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
> http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
> To unsubscribe, send an email to:
> biofuel-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>

Well ! All seems very quiet out there  is anyone working on a batch of
'moon'? What happened to the feller that was going to brew up a batch of
applejack? To the feller that wanted to know if anybody knew how to make
charcoal . Foxfire says to  strain your 'moon' through a double handful
of washed hickory coals. It seems like I read on the back of a whiskey
bottle one time where this paticular whiskey  at the distillery was
filtered thru 3 ft. of maple charcoal. I don't know if this helps but
its some info I thought I would pass it along. Tony are we losing people
here or is it just a busy time for everybody? Well I guess thats it for
now still waiting on reply from Deb and or her hubby!! Thanks!!!